Veganism — More Than Just A Diet

Veganism used to be a term unknown to the world. Vegans were commonly mistaken for vegetarians despite the fact that there are substantial differences¹ between the two. In recent years, however, we've seen the concept of veganism come about more often as more and more people educate themselves on the lifestyle.

While veganism originally stemmed from being a food-related lifestyle, it has evolved to become more than just a diet. It is a whole philosophy and a lifestyle choice made by many, with vegan options becoming more prominent even in everyday items like make-up, hair care and other goods. If you are still new to the idea of veganism, do not worry! Read on to learn what veganism is all about and how it has changed the world of hair care.

What is veganism?

Simply put, veganism is known as the practice of abstaining from any animal products and by-products. Vegans seek to exclude the exploitation of animals for food, clothing and any other purposes. A big part of modern-day veganism’s foundation comes from the opposition of animal cruelty in any form, which also means that any animal by-products such as honey, eggs and dairy are not consumed.

Why would someone go vegan?

There are many reasons why one would consider going vegan. A large reason could be due to ethics and animal rights. Many vegans believe that all creatures have their rights to life and are against the conscious decision to kill another creature for their own pleasure, especially when there are many alternatives available.

Vegans are also against the psychological and physical torture inflicted on animals as a result of today’s farming practices. One's health is also a motivating factor for an individual to embrace the vegan lifestyle — studies² have shown that plant-based diets can help reduce risks of many life-threatening diseases while promoting healthy weight loss.

Others have the environment in mind, as animal products require more resources, which leads to a high carbon footprint and higher greenhouse gas emissions³.

What is the vegan lifestyle like?

The vegan lifestyle has come a long way from its initial roots as a diet trend. While food is the basis of the lifestyle, a substantial percentage of vegans have moved out of being dietary vegans and brought this philosophy to other aspects of their lives.

There are so many vegan-friendly products out in today’s market and with the evolution of plant-based alternatives and diets, it has now become easier for anyone to become vegan, be it through their diets or other facets of their lives.

Here are three (of many) other aspects of vegan living:

Entertainment

From the perspective of a vegan, having an animal held captive at a zoo or an aquarium might be a form of animal abuse. As a result, you may have noticed your vegan friend rejecting excursions to zoos or aquariums. You'd also see that some vegans will avoid participating in dog or horse races to avoid the commodification of animals. Of course, this rule does not apply to zoos and aquariums heavily involved in conservatory efforts or those aimed at the preservation of wildlife!

Medicine

Some medications include animal-derived ingredients such as gelatine or lactose. For example, the tiger, rhinoceros, black bear, musk deer, and seahorse are among the 36 animal species used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In some cases, animals are poached for their body parts or illegally trafficked from country to country. These practices are devastating to many species of wildlife and may even drive some species to extinction.

To avoid these products, some vegans would ask their practitioners for alternative medication that does not contain animal products.

Haircare

In the case of hair care products, there are quite a bit of animal by-products in the common shampoos and conditioners than one would realise.

Keratin, Collagen and Glycerin are common animal derivatives that are found in hair products, and many do not realise that these are actually not vegan.

A large portion of hair care brands resort to marketing themselves as cruelty-free to tap into the vegan market and while this is a good step, it does not make the products vegan. It merely means that the products are not tested on animals. Vegan hair care products not only ensure that they are cruelty-free but also make sure that they are free from animal products.

Usually made with natural and nourishing ingredients, vegan hair care products help everyone to achieve healthier and better-managed hair. Vegan hair care products also tend to have lesser synthetic chemicals that can be harsh on the hair. This is important to note, as too many additives in hair care products may result in damaged hair. Such additives can affect your scalp and skin, and may even result in hair fall.

At the end of the day, having beautiful, luscious hair from vegan products while being kinder to Mother Earth is definitely a great look, and we are all here for it.

Be True to yourself with Moist Diane

If you've decided to make the switch to vegan hair care products, consider Moist Diane — it's even certified by The Vegan Society (the very people who coined the term ‘Vegan’ back in 1944) so you can leave your worries at the door when using them.

Known for their rigorous testing and highly regarded by many, brands certified by The Vegan Society keep within the following criteria, taken from The Vegan Society’s own website:

• The Vegan Society uses the term "animal" to refer to all living creatures. All vertebrates and multicellular invertebrates fall within this category. 'Animal' can relate to a species or a person, and it can be used as a noun or an adjective, depending on the context. It typically refers to non-human animals unless otherwise mentioned.
• Animal products, by-products, or derivatives must not be used or have been used in the production and/or development of the product or its constituents.
• Testing of any kind on animals shall not be done at the firm's initiative or on its behalf, or by parties over whom the company has effective control, during the development and/or production of the product and its ingredients.
• Animal genes or animal-derived compounds must not have been used in the creation or manufacture of GMOs. GMOs must be labeled on products submitted for trademark registration if they contain or may include them.

Adhering to the high standards above, Diane Be True sees Vegan Keratin as one of its core elements. Unlike traditional animal-derived Keratin, Vegan Keratin is produced by synthesizing amino acids extracted from grains and creating hydrolyzed protein. The precious ingredient fills the gaps in hair strands so that hair is protected and appears fuller, thicker, and healthier. We've also opted for non-animal methods of testing.

In addition, Diane Be True promises beautiful hair without compromising on the Earth’s health and is made with more than 90% natural and upcycled ingredients. It is made with Organic Prickly Pear to support the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector in Morocco as well as Residual Rose Water, which adds to its exquisite scent.

Deciding which Diane Be True product you need? Choose either Smooth Repair Relax or Damage Repair Healthy. For those with frizzy or wavy hair, Smooth Repair Relax has a blend of juicy fruits and veggies to leave you refreshed. And if your concern is dry or damaged hair, Damage Repair Healthy has your back. This comes with a fresh, fruity, and floral fragrance that contains notes of Basil, Rose and Cypress.

Still can't make up your mind? Redeem a complimentary sample from us to see which choice fits you better.

Vegan, ethically-sourced, sustainable and created with the world (and you) in mind? It doesn't get any better than this.